Community Forums

TravelWheels · 05-27-2023, 08:42 AM

We keep our 2023 Vanleigh Beacon 34RLB 5th wheel at our home. Unlike some other people we have had few problems. One thing that keeps recurring is puddles of water after it’s been raining. The sliders had not been out since we took a long trip in April. Went into the RV today and put the sliders out. Small puddles of water were on the floor at one end of the galley slider and the dinette slider. We have had this happen before and am wondering if anyone else has had this problem? And what did you do to solve it? We had the galley slider adjusted once as it wasn’t pulling in at a bottom corner.

tuffr2 · 05-27-2023, 08:49 AM

Just my thought - the crew of Joe, Harry and Sam did not put a drip edge on that slide. You should have bought a 5th wheel that was built by the crew of Rick, George and Dan.

I would look at the other slides that are not leaking and see if something is missing. I have a feeling that something is not sealed like the other slides. Could be sealant or a part missing.

TravelWheels · 05-27-2023, 09:31 AM

Sorry spell check changed the title from Beacon to Bravo. We bought ours from a dealer at an RV show in Daytona Beach. Don’t know who built it. Will take a look at the bedroom slide but I think it’s a different type of slide.

jacknife · 05-27-2023, 01:53 PM

It is something you really need to address ASAP . Leave the slide out if possible until fixed . To may try a hose with the slide in start a a section and work around .

**hamm2018** · 05-27-2023, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TravelWheels

Sorry spell check changed the title from Beacon to Bravo. We bought ours from a dealer at an RV show in Daytona Beach. Don’t know who built it. Will take a look at the bedroom slide but I think it’s a different type of slide.

I changed the title back to Beacon for you.

Dark Sky · 05-28-2023, 05:26 AM

If you or someone can get on the roof safely, take a close inspection of how the slide seals are fitting. This will be a hands & knees and maybe reading glasses operation. If there's nothing obvious try it again with the slides open a couple of inches.
I am assuming you do not have slide toppers. If they are installed, you could try looking when it's pitch black (maybe have to move to a darker location) and then turn on the inside trailer lights.
Is there any chance it's actually a window seal or one of the several roof openings that are sealed? The hose suggestion might really help if the slide seals appear sound.

2cyber71 · 05-28-2023, 05:48 AM

Two possible problems here
1. The seals are not correctly installed
2. The Slideout is not completely flush, or the teeth of the gears are off by one or 2 on one side.

My guess is the Slideout is off and not flush. I would think the best way to address the issue is setup an appointment with the factory service in Red Bay. I would not let a dealer touch it, they would never get it fixed.
Especially La Mesa in Florida.
Just my opinion from 25 yrs of RVing.

Palmeris · 05-28-2023, 06:34 AM

water test

kdauto · 05-28-2023, 08:37 AM

There are not a million things keeping water out on slides. The seal around the slide (typically a "D" seal needs to be intact, well glued and soft enough to compress and seal properly.

The slide itself needs to be adjusted properly and square to the RV body. When in all the way the D seal needs to be slightly compressed at least on top (especially) and on the sides.

The trip edge needs to be present on top of the slide. This is a moulding that flips the large surround that seals the contour of the slide when open. If the surround doesn't flip, especially on top, it's possible it interferes with the d seal.

The RV needs to be level. If it's tilted at a 10 degree angle rain might get by some of the seals.

You may need to get on the roof and inspect sealing at the top of the slides when closed. You could use a stepladder too.

Jzack · 05-28-2023, 08:46 AM

Make sure the trim around the outside edge of the slide is sealed properly with caulk. Especially the corners. That is where our slide was leaking and leaving puddles on the floor.

After a good rain, or wetting with a hose, pull the slide back out and look for moisture that got past the front face of the slide in the outer trim area.

TravelWheels · 06-03-2023, 07:28 PM

Thanks Hamm!

TravelWheels · 06-05-2023, 04:46 AM

We are totally level as it’s parked on a concrete pad next to our house. Hubby got on the roof and inspected but did not find anything. I spoke with someone at Tiffin and he said it is probably getting by a seal near the top of the slider and running inside under the slider. We don’t see the water when the sliders are in. We tried the water hose along the sliders and around windows. No leaks then. I think hubby might just add some sealant around the edges as pinhole leaks are hard to spot.
We are missing the slider flipper strips on the sides but only the galley slide does not always flip. We have to manually pull it out. Tiffin is sending me those.

We have an appointment in November at Tishomingo. 2 Cyber, You are right I would not take it to LaMesa. I did not like the way we were treated once they got our money.

kdauto · 06-05-2023, 07:53 AM

I had an issue with my much older 5er when we bought it used. It turned out to be the windows leaking at the edges of the large slide.

I am guessing you have the frameless windows on that era of trailer? Mine were leaking between the frame surround and body of the slide wall. Most likely the caulk had been improperly installed or had dried and a few pieces came loose. I used Sikaflex around the top and side edges of all the window frames and it is perfect now.